Eurotopie, the selected project by the Federation Wallonie-Bruxelles in collaboration with Wallonie-Bruxelles International for the belgian representation in the Belgian Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, is a project for Europe.

Brussels is where Europe has, for several decades, been taking place. Beyond a shared space, the existence of the European Quarter in Brussels is a survival requirement both for Europe and for Brussels. Although the European Quarter can be considered as the spatial expression of the European political system, it is, for reasons such as history, morphology, finance and security, impervious to citizen empowerment. By accepting the role of hostess of the common venture called Europe, Brussels has de facto accepted the responsibility for its spatial anchorage. Eurotopie therefore offers to create the European Quarter’s lacking civic space within the Belgian Pavilion itself, and thus to entice visitors to ponder, discuss, debate and, ultimately, to commit to constructing Europe.

And I am truly honoured to address all of you who are graduating today.

Dear graduates,

I feel fragile today; it’s quite daunting to look back at all the projects I have been part of or created in my life; it is daunting because I rarely look back.

Its tomorrow that makes a life worthwhile, that makes a career interesting, stimulating; it’s the challenge of adding another layer to what you know or what you have contributed so far in your career, in life − to your personal awareness, your understanding of what fashion is or should be. All those emotions are interwoven because life is fashion and work is life. We need to be curious, we need to be fast, we need to be intrigued, we need to have a vision.

In this new constellation that we have been inhabiting for a few decades now, thanks to the internet, we are constantly up-dated; this new status can be positive, if we can add a new vision, a new opinion, a new design, a new strategy based on knowledge and experience.

As individuals, we must have an opinion, as a group we can achieve dreams; fashion is team work and we need each other. This is the most beautiful dimension that fashion can give you; it’s not the dress, it’s not the success −it’s the community you are going to create, in all its diversity! It’s the friendship you will build with people from all over the world, working in many different creative industries.

Dream and work, enjoy and suffer, act and react; every day will be a challenge, every hour a decision to take, every minute an encounter or an idea to develop; give them all a chance. Enjoy life, enjoy fashion!

The word “Curating” might be perceived today as a Fashionable concept. To “curate” means to take care of, mostly of an object, or an idea, a vision or a dream. From a tangible object, a coat, a shoe, or a painting, we can transform the idea of curating to a never forgetting experience; space, light, sound, are adding dimensions in witch the viewer will be attracted by the object in order to reflect its meaning, its significance in the history of mankind, its context or influence in the way we perceive creative phenomenon’s and explosions of creativity and craft.

Today “Time” has a very different meaning than a few decades, even years ago; we are living “time” as a “Vortex” bringing together the “past “ and “future”. Today we are living simultaneously in the virtual and in the humanised world; The Vortex bring both experiences together in a new way of thinking, speaking, dreaming, working, curating.

If we think of “curating” an object we immediately think about “Space”. First the Museum space as the most natural environment for a precious object, discovered in the archives of a famous museum. The object, of a great historical value, cannot be exposed to heavy light, needs certain humidity, and cannot be touched. We have regulations made by ICOM, the International Counsel of Museums. (ICOM’s standards and guidelines supply models to museum professionals in order to facilitate the implementation of their good practices in terms of objects acquisition, personnel, conservation of art objects and museum specialism. These standards and guidelines are elaborated by ICOM’s International Committee experts and are recognised by the Executive Council.)

A jury of influential contemporary fashion figures looked on, reviewed the collections and cast their votes. Headed by Steven Kolb, President and CEO of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the jury was composed of actor and designer Waris Ahluwalia (House of Waris), Diet Prada founders Tony Liu & Lindsey Schuyler,

Rokh is founded by Rok Hwang. Before establishing his own aesthetic ethos in 2017; Rok was R-T-W designer for eminent fashion house, Céline, under Phoebe Philo.

Rokh garments, designed with timeless in mind and crafted to last through each season, are familiar yet unique renditions of classic aesthetic. Pieces accent an existing wardrobe with a raw attitude and sensual detailing, defined by the labels unique, yet familiar elegance. rokh reflects the notion that all pieces should be structured, timeless and above all, adaptable.

Rokh philosophy is to give the image new value. rokh harnesses the image as a palimpsest, each layer is inscribed upon the previous, sometimes erased, sometimes affirmed. That which is affirmed grows stronger, that which fails falls away. Trivial trends are erased in favour of visuals that speak co the genuine ways youth expresses itself. Youth forms its own image, which is where rokh direct our gaze.

Kwaidan Editions’ Violent Push-and-Pull

This month, our Spotlight shines on a design duo who bring experience from Céline, Balenciaga and Rick Owens to their new luxury womenswear label.

LONDON, United Kingdom — Kwaidan Editions is named after a 1965 Japanese horror film, an association that might sound strange for a luxury womenswear label. But for co-founder Léa Dickely, it makes perfect sense. The movie, whose title translates as “ghost stories” is, she says, “very beautiful [and] a bit scary… Quiet but powerful.”

Dickely and co-founder Hung La, who launched the label last year, boast two decades of design experience between them, including stints at Céline and Balenciaga (La) and Alexander McQueen and Rick Owens (Dickely). The pair, who are partners in both business and life, met while studying at the Royal Academy of Arts in Antwerp.